Choosing cremation is one of the first decisions you will have to make after losing a loved one. While burial costs can be quite high due to extra options chosen, cremation services can be much more affordable.
Cremation also allows for flexibility in holding a funeral or celebration of life service with the urn present. This gives family members more time to comfort each other and come to terms with the death.
1. Cost
The cost of a traditional funeral can be expensive, but cremation is generally less. This is because burial expenses like casket costs, a grave or cemetery plot fee, and headstone costs are not necessary.
Affordability is a major reason for families choosing cremation over burial. With more and more Americans living paycheck to paycheck and household debt reaching record highs, it’s understandable that many families are looking for the most affordable options available.
The simplicity that cremation offers can also help families save time. In the 48 hours following a death, a traditional funeral requires family members to make up to 70 decisions, whereas cremation only involves one brief arrangement conference. Having fewer tasks to complete can be comforting and helpful during times of grief.
2. Environment
For those that are eco-conscious, cremation can be a better choice than traditional burial services. By avoiding the need for a casket, there’s less chance that harmful chemicals like formaldehyde will seep into the ground. It also eliminates the need to use metal that doesn’t biodegrade.
In addition, cremation is more sustainable when it comes to land usage. Using cremains for a memorial service or celebration of life can be much simpler than preparing for a funeral and requires far less space than a grave site or columbarium.
Many religions have also taken a more relaxed stance on cremation over the years. For example, the Catholic Church believes that the soul is immortal and does not rely on the body. As a result, it does not have any doctrinal objections to cremation (Bryner, 2016). This can make the choice of cremation easier for some families that were hesitant in the past.
3. Time
Many families that choose cremation enjoy the fact that it saves them time when planning a ceremony. This is because a funeral service for a casketed burial can take place weeks or even months after death whereas a memorial or celebration of life service can be held just a few days after the cremation.
This also means that there is less of a need for embalming which can be very toxic to the environment. Traditional caskets must be embalmed with formaldehyde which takes away from our limited natural resources and can result in water pollution.
In addition, with cremation, the arrangement process is much shorter with just a brief arrangement conference instead of up to 70 decisions that need to be made in 48 hours for a traditional burial.
4. Preparation
Cremation can be a less stressful option for the family as it eliminates many of the decisions that have to be made following the loss of a loved one. It also allows for more flexibility in memorial services and final resting places as the ashes can be kept or scattered in a meaningful location.
With burial plots becoming increasingly scarce and more expensive, many families are finding that cremation is the most cost-effective choice. Not only does it remove the cost of a casket, but it also saves money by eliminating fees for funeral services, embalming and a gravestone.
The decision to choose cremation or burial is a personal choice that can be based on religion, geography or just practical considerations. No matter what your preference, the cremation process is a beautiful and respectful way to care for a deceased loved one.
5. Personalization
In a time of mourning and grief, making arrangements can feel difficult. When choosing cremation, there are fewer decisions to make and less stress put on family members in their moment of loss.
Traditional burial requires the embalming process and caskets, which can limit your options for celebrating the life of your loved one. Cremation allows you to choose a service that celebrates your loved ones unique personality and lifestyle in any way you like.
Many families worry that their religion forbids cremation, however; over time, some religious leaders have taken a more relaxed stance on the matter and now allow for both burial and cremation services. If you’re still unsure, talk to your religious leader about the issue and ask for more clarity.
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